keep at arm's length

verb

Keep at a distance, away from one's body.

“She's been keeping me at arm's length all the time. She doesn't want to get involved.”

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Meanings

verb
  1. transitiveKeep at a distance, away from one's body.
  2. figurativelytransitiveAvoid direct confrontation or struggle.

    Ramsey's goal secured the points, but the win came on the back of a measured performance that saw Arsenal keep Dortmund at arm's length for long periods and score with a classic counter-attack.

    2013 November 6, Chris Bevan, “Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Arsenal”, in BBC Sport
  3. figurativelytransitiveAvoid a close relationship.

    She's been keeping me at arm's length all the time. She doesn't want to get involved.

Translations

Estonian distantsi hoidma
  • distantsi hoidmaTranslations
German sich vom Leibe halten, sich vom Halse halten
  • sich vom Leibe haltenTranslations
  • sich vom Halse haltenTranslations
Hungarian távol tart magától, megtartja a három lépés távolságot
  • távol tart magátólTranslations
  • megtartja a három lépés távolságotTranslations
Swedish hålla på armlängds avstånd
  • hålla på armlängds avståndTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

keep at arm's length. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keep%20at%20arm's%20length

MLA

“keep at arm's length.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keep%20at%20arm's%20length. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “keep at arm's length,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keep%20at%20arm's%20length.

Source: keep at arm's length on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.